Stepladder attachment



NOV. 3,1959 A, J, RUGGlER] 2,911,133

STEPLADDER ATTACHMENT Filed March 12, 1958 Anthony J. Ruggieri 1N VEN TOR.

BY; I Ann Wavy 15M United States Patent 2,911,133 STEPLADDER ATTACHMENT Anthony J. Ruggieri, Cranston, RI. Application March 12, 1958, Serial No. 121,013 1 Claim. (01. 182124) The present invention relates to new and useful im; provements in stepladder attachments for use particularly by painters, carpenters, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for holding conveniently at hand various tools, supplies and articles which may be needed.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the aforementioned character comprising novel means for expeditiously and firmly securing the device in position on a conventional stepladder without the necessity of making structural alterations in said stepladder.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a'stepladder attachment of the character described which will be comparatively simplein construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing an attachment constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on a stepladder;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the removable trays.

Referring now to thedrawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 5 designates generally the upper portion of a conventional stepladder. The stepladder 5 includes the usual platform 6, vertically swingable shelf 7, etc.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially rectangular, downwardly tapered foraminous receptacle 8 of aluminum or other suitable material, which receptacle may be of any desired dimensions. The receptacle 8 is adapted to rest on the shelf -7 of the stepladder 5. Pivotally mounted at 9 on the sides 10 of the receptacle 8 is a carrying bail or handle 11.

Fixed vertically on the back 12 of the receptacle 8 is a pair of metallic bars 13. The bars 13 terminate in horizontal, rearwardly projecting upper end portions 14 which are engageable on the platform 6 of the stepladder 5. Hingedly mounted at 15 on the free ends of the arms 14 and engageable beneath the platform 6 are generally U-shaped clamps 16 for removably securing ice the receptacle 8 in position on the stepladder 5. The clamps 16 include upper and lower legs, said lower legs having mounted thereon thumbscrews 17 which are engageable beneath the platform 6. l I Removably mounted in the upper portion of the receptacle 8 on the sides 10 thereof are foraminous trays 18. The removable trays 18, in the embodiment shown, comprise depending mounting flanges 19 which are engageable with the top portions of the side walls 10 of the receptacle 8. The trays 18 further comprise circular compartments or cups 20 for the reception of small tools, screws, nails, etc. Also mounted on the upper portions of the side walls 10 of the receptacle 8 are removable hooks 21 for hanging tools on said receptacle.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily,

apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the receptacle 8 is positioned on the shelf 7 and the clamps 16 are secured to the platform 6 by tightening the thumbscrews 17 in an obvious manner. The hinges 15 facilitate application of the clamps 16 to the platform 6. The hinges 15 also allow the receptacle 8 to be swung'upwardly sufiiciently to permit the shelf 7 to be swung to closed position, if desired. Tools, supplies and various articles may be placed in the receptacle 8, also in the trays 18 and on the hooks 21. If more room is desired in the receptacle 8, the trays 18 may be readily removed therefrom. Through the medium of the bail 11 the attachment, when removedsfrom the stepladder, may be readily carried from place to place. i

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. I

What is claimed as new is as follows: I

In combination with a stepladder including a platform and a vertically swingable, foldable shelf below the horizontal plane of said platform, an attachment comprising a pair of generally U-shaped clamps mounted on the platform and including upper and lower legs slidably receiving said platform therebetween, a rectangular foraminous receptacle adapted to rest on the shelf and including a back wall, a pair of spaced, parallel, substantially vertical bars on said back wall, horizontal arms on the upper ends of said bars hingedly connected-at their free ends to the upper legs of the clamps for vertical swinging movement and engageable on the platform when the receptacle is resting on the shelf, and thumbscrews on the lower legs of the clamps engageable beneath the platform for removably securing said clamps thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 313,129 Tipney Mar. 3, 1885 1,086,541 Lailer Feb. 10, 1914 1,604,608 Ryerson Oct. 26, 1926 2,318,930 Dietrich May 11, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 197,158 Great Britain May 10, 1923 492,458 Germany Feb. 22, 1930 336,271 v Great Britain Oct. 9, 1930 

